10 interesting things about Sri Sri Ravi Shankar you didn’t know

May 13th was my beloved Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s birthday! Found this article on the 10 interesting things that you have to know about him. Reposting it here. Enjoy!

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

1.Ravi Shankar was named “Ravi” because his birth falls on a Sunday, and “Shankar” after the eighth-century Hindu saint, Adi Shankara, because it was also Shankara’s birthday that day

2.By the age of 4, he was able to recite verses from the Bhagavad Gita without even being taught the text. Ravi Shankar’s first teacher was Sudhakar Chaturvedi, an Indian Vedic Scholar and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi

3.Ravi Shankar at the age of 25, went into ‘silence’ for 10 days and conceived a simple relaxation technique called Sudharshan Kriya, which is now being taught in 152 countries across the globe. As per studies conducted at Harvard, it was revealed that 70-80 percent of patients suffering from AIDS benefitted from SKY (Sudharshan Kriya)

4.He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore University. After completing his graduation, Shankar travelled with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi giving talks and arranging conferences on Vedic science, and setting up meditation and Ayurveda centres

5.In the year 1983, Shankar held the first Art of Living course in Europe, in Switzerland. In 1986, he travelled to Apple Valley, California in the US to conduct the first course to be held in North America

6.Ravi Shankar started keeping a beard only to look more mature. He explained, ‘Wherever I would go, people would feel disappointed after looking at a young boy sitting on a stage.’

7.Ravi Shankar calls himself the ambassador of LSD – (Laugh, Sing and Dance). Being one of the most magnetic personalities of the world, with an ever growing following that runs into millions, his message is simple: Make your smile cheap and your anger very expensive

8.His Art of Living foundation is now spread over 152 countries and is considered the world’s largest volunteer-based NGO.

9.He was always scolded by his mother, Amma, for bringing an empty suitcase after a travel because he would give away all his clothes to others

10.In the year 2009, Shankar was named by Forbes Magazine as the fifth most powerful leader in India.

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Saha nav avatu, Saha nau bhunaktu, Saha viryam karavavahi: Tejasvi nav adhitam astu: ma vidvisavahai; Aum Santih, Santih, Santih - May He protect us both; may He be pleased with us both; may we work together with vigor; may our study make us illumined; may there be no dislike between us. Aum, peace, peace, peace.

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Aravind Venkatachalam

is a senior software engineer living in the Bay area. He is a devotee of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and volunteers for the Art of Living Foundation. He uses this blog to share his ideas on ancient wisdom from the Puranas and from Sri Sri along with many other stories and juicy stuff!!